Handbook on Effective Police Responses to Violence against Women

The Handbook is intended to assist and guide police officers in the prevention of and response to violence against women. It is formulated primarily for use by police in transitional and developing countries where institutional means to protect women from violence have not yet been created or implemented. It addresses the rights of both victims and offenders and promotes enhanced practices such as ensuring greater access to services such as shelters, counseling and legal assistance, improved presentation of evidence at trial, and application of effective measures to protect victims and witnesses. It also recognizes that the police are only part of a much larger system: the cooperative, coordinated and effective involvement of courts, prisons, communities, non-governmental organizations and civil society required to protect women against violence. The Handbook aims to assist police officers by familiarizing them with relevant international laws, norms and standards relating to violence against women and informing them about some promising practical approaches to effective police response to acts of violence against women. The Handbook was prepared with the hope that the discussions of good strategies, procedures and practices that have helped police forces to enhance the safety and security of women in their communities will benefit police first responders, investigators, supervisors and managers.